PentictonNow.com has reached out to the candidates in the Penticton riding to get their personal information and thoughts on the main topics facing voters in the BC General Election, set for Saturday, Oct. 24.
Today we bring you Toni Boot of the BC NDP Party.
Personal Details
Toni Boot currently serves as mayor of the District of Summerland. She previously spent four years on council.
Boot grew up in Summerland, she has served on multiple regional boards and represented the community on several regional governing bodies.
She has raised two sons in Summerland and spends most days walking local trails with her husband Steve.
Why she’s running
“I have shown that I will stand up for others and have long been an advocate for inclusivity. This past May, I was named by local media as one of the top leaders in the valley and was honoured to have won the Chamber’s Business Excellence Award as Sustainability Leader of the Year.
From my seven years on both council and as the Mayor of The District of Summerland, I know the support our region needs to recover is at the provincial level. Resources and decisions that affect our lives rest outside local government. I want to advocate at the level I can best influence positive outcomes for our region. If we have an MLA on John Horgan’s team in government, we can be part of formulating the plans, not just critiquing them.”
What she has seen on the campaign trail
“I’ve had the pleasure of having hundreds of conversations over the past few weeks and I know overwhelmingly what is on people’s minds is that they want to feel safe – for their families, their workplaces, and themselves. Folks are worried about schools, businesses staying open and the vulnerability of our seniors. For the last seven months, the pandemic has made life so difficult for so many. Issues that we were trying so hard to overcome like affordability, availability of secure work, housing, senior care, have grown in the pandemic.
Now, our recovery plans are about making sure we keep looking out for one another. I'm putting my name forward because I believe the NDP are the right people to govern us through recovery. John Horgan and his team have worked hard to keep our loved ones safe and make life easier for BC families, but there's much more to do. We need to keep BC moving forward for everyone.
I want to continue the BC NDP’s work to put people like me and you first over the rich and well-connected. Our region is unique and it needs a strong voice at the table in government as we determine what our community needs to recover.”
Boot discusses a few of the important issues for this riding.
Affordability
“Overwhelmingly, I hear from our residents that their number one concern is affordability – a range of affordable housing options, affordable childcare, affordable services. From young professionals to seniors, the housing crisis is significant in the South Okanagan. We have seen record investments in housing from our NDP government after years of BC Liberal neglect. Similar investments have been made in the services we rely upon like childcare and healthcare. Folks know this government is working for them, not the rich and well-connected. The focus on helping everyday people find affordable solutions is a priority for me and for the region.”
Climate Change
“Another concern that is top of mind with those I speak to is our changing climate. Our region is unique in Canada with a beautiful and diverse landscape, and rare and endangered species. Our agricultural roots and hot climate make this issue crucial. From wildfires to floods, we know that climate change is a major threat to our region and our economy. I’m proud that the NDP has launched one of the strongest climate plans in North America. Much of the work I have championed in my private and public work has been around sustainability and conservation. I want to strengthen the work the BC NDP is doing and ensure our unique challenges in the South Okanagan are addressed.”
Safety
“I know many in our community are worried about crime and safety in our community. While there is no magic bullet, I know that in order to see meaningful and lasting changes on this front we need to address the underlying causes of poverty and crime. We need investments in education, housing, health including mental health and wrap-around services.
We recognize police officers require a modern policing structure that provides greater clarity for their roles. Expectations on front line police responders have grown and our policy and public safety model needs to reflect current and future needs of our community.”
Community support
“I have been serving my community most of my adult life. As a small business owner, my work complemented sustainable agriculture and created landscapes for our dry climate. The community-focused nature of those successful businesses led me to wanting to serve in a public capacity. My time serving on the District of Summerland council and as its mayor has been a privilege. I have served for six years as a director for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, and on the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Grasslands Conservation Council, and the South Okanagan Women in Need Society. In my many roles I have enjoyed championing progressive projects on affordable housing, protecting watersheds, alternative energy, rehabilitation of trails and recreation infrastructure, inclusivity, physical and mental wellness, and support for the arts and culture community. I hold a Bachelor of Art in Professional Communication.”
“On a more personal note, I am a long-time member of the Summerland United Church and miss my monthly volunteer work playing piano for chapel services at both Summerland seniors centres. I’m also proud to be part of our region’s vast and committed volunteer army that makes events like Ironman, Gran Fondo and the United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast possible. I’m passionate about community service and want to continue to serve the best way I can.”
You can find out more details on Toni Boot by clicking here.
Click here for information on the BC NDP Party.
